N.L. Folk Fest aims for most inclusive year yet
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is taking big steps this year towards making life easier for festival-goers with disabilities.
The festival has partnered with Inclusion NL to bring in several initiatives, including flooring that will even out the grass for wheelchair-users, a special accessible entranceway, a quiet tent, and sensitivity training for festival volunteers.
People with hearing problems will have access to free listening devices and festival programs will be available in Braille and large print.
There is also an "Inclusion Line," which festival-goers can call with questions before and during the event.
Events Coordinator John Clarke said Folk Fest tried to bring in some of these measures last year, but ran into several problems.
"We were quite dismayed last year at how well we didn't do. We certainly learned a lot," he said.
"I think last year we just weren't quite prepared for how unfriendly grass is...Last year we gave it a good try, but I guess we kind of found out how green we were to this whole field of improvement."
Other events should follow suit, organizer says
Clarke said it only makes sense for the festival to be as inclusive as possible and believes other events in the province should try to do the same.
"I mean it only makes sense doesn't it? I mean it's not easy. It takes some expertise, it takes some resources, and it takes some labour, but it's well worth doing," he said.
"Once you get the infrastructure in place and it becomes part of your organization it gets easier every year. Hopefully 10 years from now we won't even notice that we do some things."
Kathy Bowring, Inclusion NL's program manager, said she is excited that the Folk Festival is committing to these changes. Bowring said her organization is open to working with any group or event to help improve accessibility.
The popular St. John's festival returns to Bannerman Park again this year, after a stint at Bowring Park last summer. The festival runs from August 7 to 9.